A Natal/Birth Chart is a snapshot of the planetary placements as they were at a particular moment and place in time. In the Natal Chart the planets are in a particular sign and at a particular degree at the moment of the actual birth. Placements of the planets within the Natal/Birth Chart are dependent upon the actual physical location of the birth. This refers to which house or area of the chart that each planet ends up falling into. The way the Birth Chart is setup for each individual shows the unique personal path that has been chosen for this incarnation.

Each planet embodies a specific energies or archetypes and tells the WHAT. The sign the planet is in shows the HOW. In which house or the placement in the chart indicates the WHERE. For example: Venus (desire nature, what we like/love, relating principle) in the sign of Leo (the love concept, fun, play, creative) in the 6th house (work, pets, health, routine). One way we could interpret this would be to say, "Love is creatively expressed through work." or "Work must provide a creative outlet where you connect with others."

One of the most important points then is the actual placement of the planets in the chart. This shows Where the specific WHAT and HOW of a persons' makeup will be expressed. The angles of a chart (Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven and IC or also known as the 1st, 7th, 10th and 4th house cusps) are of the greatest importance. This is where most of the action in a chart takes place. So it is important to pay attention to any planets that may fall in this area of the chart more specifically than any other place. Although it is also very important to pay attention to any shift in the house (residence) placement of a planet through relocation. Since WHERE it will manifest has also changed.

Now since the placement of the planets in the chart are dependent on the location of the birth. It would stand to reason, if there is a shift in the place/location, due to a move of residence or going on vacation or a trip. That the planets would also move as to where they fall in the chart for that specific location. This then is the basis for Relocation Astrology. Yes, the Natal/Birth Chart will always be the Natal/Birth Chart but the way it is handled/worked with pertaining to those surroundings is altered. Simply think of the Relocation Chart as an overlay on a transparency. Through relocation (for whatever reason) certain planets that are in the angles may no longer be there. Or planets that where not angular may become angular.

So now a question may arise, "What is the difference between Relocation Astrology and Astro-cartography?" Well, actually not much at all really. Relocation Astrology has been around for a long, long time where as Astro-cartography is relatively new, since about 1976. Through a gentleman by the name of Jim Lewis the technique of Astro-Cartography was developed in order to assist astrologers with Relocation. With the advent of Astro-Cartography it was no longer necessary to erect multiple charts to see where and how the planets shifted their positions. Instead with Astro-Cartography the angles (Asc, Dsc, MC, IC) for each individual planet are plotted onto a map of the world. Since each planet has an ascending, descending, culmination (MC) and anti-culmination (IC) angle/line. With the aid of this map exactly where these planetary angles/lines fall becomes apparent at a glance. It is then much easier to know where in the world any planet will become more active and what type of impact it will have.

Knowing the impact a planet will have is of great importance. It is important to know for instance if the example of Venus is taken again what can be expected. Since there are four angles/lines for there must be four different definitions or ways the planet can manifest. Will the person utilize the energy of the planet themselves (from the Ascendant or 1st House) or draw those types of people to them (from the Descendant or 7th House) who are projecting this energy? Will the person manifest this energy more in a hidden or internal way (from the IC or 4th House) or will it be publicly pronounced (from the MC/Midheaven or 10th House)? This is determined by which angle/line that is active. So if it is known what is wanted or desired Relocation Astrology or Astro-Cartography can be used to assist in manifesting this energy.